Since The League DOUBLED In Size, Only These 24 Players Have Been Crowned The NHL's Best!

The Hart Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the most valuable player in the National Hockey League (NHL), has been awarded to a total of 24 players since the start of the Expansion Era in the 1967-1968 season. This period marked a pivotal moment in NHL history, as the league expanded from six teams, often referred to as the 'Original Six,' to 12 teams.

This expansion was a significant step forward for the league, as it brought more teams, more players, and more fans into the fray. The influx of new talent and the increased competition led to a more dynamic and exciting brand of hockey, and the Hart Trophy winners from this era reflect the diversity and skill of the players who dominated the sport during this time.

Starting with the first winner of the Expansion Era, Stan Mikita, who claimed the award in 1967-1968 while playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, a total of 38 separate instances of the Hart Trophy have been awarded to players since the Expansion Era began. Among the winners are some of the most iconic names in hockey history, including Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, and Mario Lemieux, each of whom won the award multiple times.

Five players have won the Hart Trophy in multiple seasons since the Expansion Era began, with Wayne Gretzky holding the record for the most wins with nine. Gretzky, who played for the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers, is widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time, and his record may stand for a long time.

The Hart Trophy winners have come from a variety of different teams and positions, with centers leading the way with 22 winners. Right wingers have accounted for 10 winners, while left wingers have had four winners and defensemen have claimed two.

Some of the winners were expected, given their incredible skill and dominance on the ice, but others were more of a surprise. Regardless of whether the winner was a household name or an underdog, each of the players who have claimed the Hart Trophy since the Expansion Era began has left their mark on the sport and earned their place among the greatest players in NHL history.